Alzheimer's disease, or AD, is a type of dementia that develops slowly and eventually leads to loss of mental function and death. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports AD as the most common cause of dementia among people older than 65. Because there is no cure, treatment consists of limited symptom management.
Loss Of Memory
Alzheimer's disease begins so subtly that implications of the disease during routine office visits often elude the doctor. Many of the beginning signs are a mild exaggeration of the normal aging process, such as difficulty remembering names of people recently introduced. FamilyDoctor.org reports that recent memory is the first phase of memory affected by Alzheimer's disease. Memory and recognition of family and friends gets distorted and confused as AD progresses. The inability to recall familiar facts, such as a home phone number and street address, is an implication that the AD is advancing. The severe or final stage of Alzheimer's disease manifests as fragmented memory with limited or no recognition of family and friends.
Reduced Attention Span
A reduced attention span is a noticeable implication of Alzheimer's disease with the increase in misplacing common items, such as keys or glasses, by putting them in odd places. As the Alzheimer's disease progresses further, the inability to perform daily activities such as dressing in the appropriate attire increases. As Georgia Health Info reports, decreased attention span and less motivation makes it easy to get lost, even in familiar surroundings. At this point in the disease, monitoring a person with Alzheimer's is important to prevent wandering.
Personality Changes
Changes in personality become more apparent as irritability, agitation, paranoia and anger increase. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that withdrawal, restlessness, aggression, distrust, loss of inhibitions and depression in people with Alzheimer's disease is an indication that the disease is progressing. Other personality changes associated with AD include rapid mood swings, fear and suspicion, according to the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.
Cognitive Impairment
As the mental deterioration progresses, sentences become incomplete or have incorrect words, and speech is limited and often indiscernible. The Neurology Channel says other cognitive indicators of AD progression include confusion and disruption of performing daily activities, such as difficulty keeping house or keeping accurate financial records and driving. People may or may not realize the loss of mental alertness as Alzheimer's advances.
Physical Changes
Physical changes that occur in people with Alzheimer's disease are the result of the brain deteriorating and losing communication with the rest of the body. Common symptoms include drooling, difficulty swallowing and incontinence. As the loss of brain and body communication expands, people with AD require the total assistance of caregivers.
References
- The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Common Cause of Dementia
- FamilyDoctor.org: Loss of Recent Memory in Alzheimer's Disease
- GeorgiaHealthInfo.gov: Alzheimer's Disease Causes Decreased Attention Span
- University of Maryland Medical Center: How Does Alzheimer's Disease Affect Personality?
- NeurologyChannel.com: Alzheimer's Disease Cognitive Impairment
